Christmas traffic plan in Dublin

Traffic police in Dublin launched the capital's Christmas traffic plan on 8 December.

Operation Open City is designed to keep Dublin's public transport flowing and minimise disruption to private traffic during the busy Christmas period, until 24 December.

The plan was drawn up by traffic police and the National Transport Authority, along with local authorities, public transport providers and traders' associations.

The operation involves high visibility patrols of all major arterial routes, link roads, Luas tram tracks and bus lanes during peak commuter times, as well as a particular emphasis on traffic management around car parks and major shopping centres.

The Open City plan, which replaced Operation Freeflow two years ago, will also see a police presence on late night Luas and Nite-Link bus services.

Road works on the capital's premier shopping thoroughfare Grafton Sreet have ceased for the Christmas and New Year period, although Dublin City Council has admitted there will still be "some incovenience and disruption" to shoppers.

On the other side of the river Liffey shoppers can visit the recently-refurbished Clery's department store on O'Connell Street. The 160-year-old shop reopened at the end of November following its closure in July due to flood damage.

The city's Christmas street lights were switched on at the end of November.